Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext are expected to announce a deal to create the world's largest exchange operator later on Tuesday, but set aside thorny political issues that pose a challenge to its successful completion. Highlighting how political concerns are weighing on a wave of consolidation sweeping the industry, Singapore Exchange tweaked its $7.9 billion bid for rival ASX to allow more Australian directors onto a combined board as it seeks to win the support of Australian lawmakers wary of ceding control of the local exchange. Nationalism is one of the biggest hurdles to the industry mergers as exchanges are often seen as symbols of national pride and important to attracting business and capital. The deals, including a bid by the London Stock Exchange to take over Toronto Stock Exchange operator TMX Group , face intense scrutiny from regulators and politicians around the world.
Source
